Around the period of my first shows, and....... those were really fun times !!! I guess I was a sophomore in H.S., on LI, NY. 40min. train ride into Penn. Station, (right underneath 'The Garden', -aka "MSG" for ya outta-towner's....lololol). 40min. ride to Nassau Coliseum. Between the 2- venues, we were generally spoiled with some EPIC GRATEFUL DEAD !!!!! Yes, it was great coming of age in the 70's..... BUT IT'S BEEN EVEN BETTER THAT THE GRATEFUL DEAD CAN STILL STOP ME IN MY TRACKS, REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR- THERE'S REAL MAGIC THROUGHOUT.... DON'T LIMIT YOURSELVES, as....

"just like 'opinions'-!!!, everyone has a 'Best Ever' !!!!
RELAX FOLKS, IT'S JUST 'THE DEAD'. (The Grateful Dead-!!!!! 4-ever !!!!)

StAlfonso hit the nail on the head. Been playing for 30 years and listening from the womb. Parents raised me on and around the scene. Was attending shows in diapers. So many “critics” but so few are musicians. And picky .....yes sir. It’s the in between notes and the recovering from the subtle mishaps that makes the music. Not every show is 12/19/73 or 12/29/77 it’s not all perfect music but it’s the soul that counts. The frog in the throat the stumbling lyrics that’s the heart and the love within the band. The drive that keeps em moving. We are blessed to be left with this amazing music....like what ya like, love what ya love ....but please don’t knock the imperfections....embrace em. No ones perfect all the time. Love it or leave it. Don’t talk shit :):):)

It's a great show, but not according to the many commentors. To me it seems as though they follow this formula: "I like this, and therefore it's good." That's fine and dandy, especially when they detail why. (The same is so, "I don't like this, and therefore it's not good.")

Garcia's voice cracks at times. He's hoarse. So what? On a good night he doesn't have a good voice. And Donna, if she hits a note that's not flat, congratulate her, good golly. That will go for every show.

I get an impression that most of the critical commentators in these GD forums are not guitar players. I am a guitar player, a real one. And I love this show. Garcia is spectacular. His solos scintilate. They flow. There's a great funk & groove, each solo an improvisational story, a musical journey. Anyone can follow it, just pay attention to the notes, the music. Follow his winding melodies.

People talk instead of listen, minds wander instead of focus. Hence, the negative comments. He's playing, they're jamming, sms you ain't listening. Your writings indicate as such.

To close, if the shoe fits, wear it. Take my observations in their entirety. What I'm writing is more of a review of the reviewers. It comes across -I'm sorry, to be didactic is my style and I can't change that- as a rebuke. It's a suggestion to listen with more than one set of ears. It's art, not a basketball game.

Scarlet Begonias is nonpareil and the rest is heartfelt.

I'm a 60's and early 70's brand of Deadhead, but Track 12 is pretty awesome....

Plenty wonder when it was Keith had begun copying Jerry's licks, and here is a pretty good example of him doing so. I personally find that he took enough liberties with each one Jer finished that it sounds pretty neat and gives the group a(n even more) unique sound. We know he was nothing but talent, ideas, and color added to the Grateful Dead.

The Guyz played up a storm. I'd consider this a five star show if Jerry didn't sound so bad. My patented Garcia Cringe 'O Meter was bouncing around all over the place. This AUD is very clear and warm and gives you an excellent feeling of being there. Boy, it's just too bad ol' Jer didn't have it together, vocally, tonight. I guess that's what January can do to ya in SF. Excellent recording job Mr. Gatto. I guess I'll download anyway.

The night before ended badly, and they came back ready to rock this show. While I've probably see better shows over the years, the Scarlet/Fire and Terrapin are indelibly burned, and listening to the tape (despite the quality) brings back a great memory. Still haven't heard a better Terrapin. Remember Jerry windmilling, and Mickey falling off his chair?

lots of reviews. man. i like the show. i've sat through, and downloaded, shows with much crummier sound quality, because the energy is there. i guarantee you, i'll put this show on the ipod and when any of these tunes surface on shuffle, they will make me smile. and groove. and that's the point. so smile, people. smile and groove to the tunes. every show on this miraculous archive is a party. even the bad shows are not a waste of time. unless you'd rather be stuck in an office somewhere forced to listen to mariah carey.

i love miss > frank openers so thats a huge plus, the first set smoked especially the big river, great first set overall

second set is just amazing before and after drums all just so so so good!!! love that wharf rat too got real rough at the end

and it sounds like one. There is no harm in that. This is what a lot of tapes sounded like. I'm just glad to be able to hear this again.

The sound quality is = butt. The performance quality is clearly average. Why are you giving this four stars, let alone five? There are plenty of way better shows from this winter...12-12-78's HS>Frank's is out of this world, plus you can actually hear the notes. 12-19-78's scarlet fire soars and burns, among other songs, plus you can actually hear the notes. 12-31-78 has an equally great terrapin & playin', and yet you can actually hear it. 2-03-79 has a vicious, scorching s>f and a ferocious Other One, plus you can actually hear the notes. 2-17-79 is a long show with good sound and a wide variety of good performances.

In contrast to the above standouts from a great period, this show is just average. The only thing unusually well-played here is the Candyman, and maybe Donna's performance in Scarlet.

To all the people who say, "ohh, but its all about the *Enthusiam* of the crowd" I say, Yeah, enthusiasm is great--that's why, for example, people praise the matrices of 5-8-77, and the 12-31-78 album, because the crowd cheers at the openings of the songs and at the end of each big jam. It can add to the music. But on here, the crowd is so much louder than the music that it doesn't add to the music, it actually erases parts of the music. That's not a good thing.

Oh and to Mr. HiTiMeNiCeToMeEtYoU below, keep in mind you are not reviewing the "community". You are reviewing a specific performance and a specific recording job. Also, hell in a bucket was not played this night...In conclusion, don't write a show review while stoned. (Insert accusations of "grumpiness" here) As has been stated in many other show reviews on this site, it doesn't make you a "grump" or "hater" to call a stone a stone.

Show: 3 stars
Sound: 2 stars
I rounded down for obvious reasons

Man, I read all this stuff late at night with bulging eyesockets and just can't understand all the hate. I'll forever be gratefully stuck with memories of Phil & Friends fall '08 with Molitz and Jackie Green as my very first show. Playin opener(heard it on the way in), halfstep, rain and snow starts 2 minutes before it starts raining, masons, playin reprise set closer where phil's vocal mic shut off and the whole band got off time...phil just hit that deep note and they stopped and ran off stage. The lights stayed in the "on" position, along with my personal pictures of Uncle Al in his observatory holding cheshire cat:) Deep feelings of love and happiness filled every part of me. The guy in front of us turned to me, my girl, and my friend Konky, and said "NOW THE REAL SHOW'S ABOUT TO START" The crowd went nuts...I turned around and realized my younger sister was standing right behind me...Then Phil and Friends came back onstage and encored Attics. COSMIC. Can't touch that moment. It happened again at the dead in greensboro last spring at the beginning of Truckin'...one of those upsurges in crowd energy where you can SEE the freakin energy coiling up above the crowd. Been going to panic shows(ON FIRE) since I was 12, and didn't get into the Dead until 10 years later, about 4-5 years ago. At first, I couldn't even listen to haggard Jerry, hoarse as hell, barely standing. But then, as I got older, and saw the best panic i'd ever seen, I realized that once the heat of the music wears off, there's a community within that means just as much. I go to shows now to see friends and have a good time. I like to look at the band's new gear, and the pretty girls and space out in the stars (outdoor summer shows are my favorite). I would give a finger to have been at this msg show in 79. I plan to invent the flux capacitor for specific reasons just like this. For people who were so lucky to experience some shit like this and dis it is akin to making logic of silly putty, just plain silly. For me, an early January Dead show would be like riding a shooting star. I'm not saying this is the best Dead show I've ever heard, but c'mon, einstein said it, relativity. Zero is an abstract concept not present in nature. You can't negate something right there in front of you, just like you can't say that this 79 show doesn't rock your fucking socks off. It's so funny to read these boards with these grumps, with 40+ years of music at their fingertips. What I wouldn't give to have walked in your shoes, and then sold them at a Grateful Dead show. By the way this space post Hell in a Bucket is sick. I give it 5 stars for great sounding aud...high enthusiasm, heavy sounding notes, and full frequency fun! the smokestack says heat right? Pig would be Proud A WOOHOO

Well I was, and this is realy not much more than a slightly above average performance for the period.

It's simply absurd that a file archived here should get a strong review based on the fact that one attended the show. Listen for yourself, there's not that much going on here and it's a sub-par audience recording. (92 pts)

OK, I've read the reviews from people who weren't there--take a step back, you guys.

I've also read the reviews from those who think ""poor" sound quality should be reckoned against a perfomance's worth--a couple of steps back for you, I'm afraid.

OK, for the rest of us, on the count of three: ARE YOU FUCKIN' KIDDING ME?????

Half-Step>Franklin's: OK, it happened a lot back then, I'll grant you. Not like this though, bub.
Those of you who rate a show's quality by that of Jerry's voice are gonna have to take a *big* stgep bacvk, I'm afraid.

FOTD: Listen to that back beat on the instrumentals after Weir's solo. In fact, listen to Weir's solo. Nmae another show where they played it like that. Here's a hint: You can't!!!

It's All Over Now: Phil on the outro. 'nuff said!

Lazy Lightning: Not the best ever? Submit your alternatives for smiting!

Scarlet>Fire: "See above" won't suffice. Check out 1/17/79 for how bad it could get. "Donna rocks!" not in your vocab? Check it out, noob!

And on and on and on..... Not meaning to offend, but....... Seriously!

Having been in US for 3 weeks this was my 1st US show (had seen them @ lyceum London in '72).
This was the day I "got on the bus" and have never left

Short review but fire is where it's at!! Peace-

=gf/aka/jiap

This is worth listening to, but I highly recommend the other version. Its a Charlie Miller... my hero!

It was a magical show. It was my first. I thank heaven above for the chance. Thanks again!

Clarification on Jerry's voice quality. He's just coming off a bout with bronchitis form the fall, this show was part of a make-up tour from late fall postponement. Probably one of the top 2 first sets you'll ever hear. If the Lazy Lightning/Supplication does'nt blow your mind nothing will. Rates easily in my top 5 shows attended and is a regular in my rotation. Wish the quality was better, but I'm sort of used to it after listening to this show bunches over last, oh my god, 25 years (it took me a while to find a tape):)

I went to medical school with Dr. Keith J.Gatto from 1981 to 1985. He was a gifted physician and the ultimate Greatful Dead fan. He passed away about ten years ago. His vast live concert library and musical knowledge were eclipsed only by his love for his family and patients. It brings great joy to know that he is remembered through music by his Greatful Dead friends. He traveled extensively recording every show he could attend from coast to coast. Think of him and smile.

Jerry pouring his heart out, beautiful, raucous, new york energy ever presentâ¦.just have to smile

On both points. I too noticed the high volume and looked at the show with real interest which now adds another tick to the counter. The other and I dont know for sure but this was probably one of the early group of late 70's put up. So your high count isnt because of special show it's what was available and maybe at the time it was a wht you see is what you get. Now at this point in the game its a vicious circle feeding off itself. I just rubber necked and said whoa whats this? answer a decent show-nothing out of the ordinary, Jerry's voice is shot from either opiates or free base and as far as plus side it's a pretty decent show with a few gems included moohichrlisted below. I couldnt figure out what the big attraction was so I checked out the set list for something that stands out, the sound is an average aud. not bad not great, so then my next step was read the reviews there probably some hot transitions or whatever but nothing except "nice Terrapin" or "Scarlet>Fire"

happy trails}}}}}}

But I can listen at work. Thanks GD for allowing the music to be free.

we did it , still no soundboards

Get them while you still can!!

Plus 6-8-74. Still has 2nd set sbd....

Spirit blistering through stuggle, it's what we're here for right? Jer's voice is just bad enough to be perfect and the band is on good as ever. Terrapin at it's best. Aud recording is good and maybe even better than a board in this case. It's the energy of the show that gets you here. 5 stars for soul on this one.

Not bad sound, take a listen it's a Good show.
sorry sidweiss, guess you had to be there buddy.

This was my first show - it was hot from the first note until the last. The energy was very high (as NYC shows always were). This show was supposed to be in November 1978 but Jerry got Pneumonia and it was postponed. I bought a ticket for $7.50 one day at school and got on the bus.

HOLY-COW,THIS IS AN AMAZING SHOW!!!THE TERRIPAN IS DEFINITLY IN MY TOP TEN!! EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE TO PUT UP WITH DONNA , SHE IS ON TONIGHT!!GREAT SHOW,GREAT SETLIST, AND GOTTA LOVE THE AUD!!! LOVE TO HERE THE CROWD ENJOYING THE MUSIC AS MUCH ME!!SOUL AND SPIRIT THROGHOUT ENTIRE SHOW,THE BOYS HAVEING A GOOD TIME AND THE CROWD LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT! 5 STAR, NO WAY I'D CHOOSE ANYTHING OTHER THAN 5 STARS FOR SOUND AND SHOW! GOD "JERRY" BLESS THE BOY"S AND WHAT THEY DID FOR US! GRATEFULY DEADICATED IN CLEVELAND OHIO SAYIN RIGHT ON , RIGHT ON, RIGHT ON!!!! ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAD TO ADD ON TO MY RECENT REVIEW, THE MISSISSIPPI HALF-STEP IS "AMAZING" JERRY'S GUITAR WAS ABSOULUTLY ON FIRE I MEAN SMOKIN' THIS WHOLE SHOW WILL GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS , BEST IF PLAYED AT A LOUD VOLUME TO REALLY FEEL THIS SHOW !!!!! ENERGY,ENERGY,ENERGY!!!! THANK YOU JERRY- WOW,WOW,WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jerry's just froggy enough but not painful to listen to. Actually, I kind of liked the effort he put in on nights like these and Friend of... sounds great as does Scarlett, Miss 1/2/ Step etc.

Something admirable and pleading about it all. Not to mention the extra effort that always went into his playing when his voice wasn't up to par.

rated a 3 cause you have to put a number in there only.

Do I detect an electric kazoo player on Minglewood, must be a remnant from the disco dead sound machine... Jerry's "If I had me a shotgun I'd PROBABLY blow you straight to hell" takes the hardihood out of an otherwise grave threat... If the Friend of the Devil were a little more upbeat it would rival the energy of a Black Peter... Bob sings like a madman, that's right Bob get pissed off, you deserve all that lightning too!... Gotta run, Domo Arigato Mr. Keith Gatto.

I have to agree w/ the Captain. I think its a damn good show, I brings back memories of freinds & times long past. Unless a show was REALLY poorly recorded, mishandled, or 420'd, I think its hard to find a bad show. Thanks to Mr. Gatto for preserving this most excellent slice of Americana for everyone to enjoy forever :)

One of the best versions of Half-Step...Jerry took another turn with a nice second jam before going into Franklin's. I remember seeing Jerry look across the stage playing the same quartet riff about five times, as if to say, "let's get into it!" They did. This run was the first in a long line of high-energy MSG shows, with the NYC crowd going bananas from start to finish.

Sounds like whoever taped this show DID NOT HAVE A TICKET
and sat Shure's intact in the parking lot!! Nice energy show, and MSG proved to be a real stomping ground, but not in this recording. Please, get the board!!! You're killing me...

I attended this 2 show run at MSG, all a big deal since they hadnt played there yet. The night before was mahem on the floor, but a good show.

wow, they were all quite zoned in that night it seems, only thing anyone would have on this show would be the quality, but im not one to care so much, i hear the music for what it really is ;) merry christmas and enjoy the phil shows this weekend and mardi gras get your ticks fast

i was fortunate to stumble onto this site recently following it's inception. i believe that a partial explanation to this being the most downloaded might be the fact that it was one of the earlier shows of the 70's (if not all the decades) placed on this site. in addition some people with limited tape collections might see this as one of the more desirable shows to collect based strictly on the fact that it is the most popular, it is a vicious circle so to speak. also the fact that it is a show from a city that has a large population (some people only dl shows they attended etc.). just a theory...by the way the sound quality of this show is marginal look for good jim wise auds, i think they rule!

With all due respect to fellow Deadheads who have reviewed this show, this is not worth your while. The quality is poor. Songlist o.k. There are just so many other better alternatives out there. Regardless of whether you prefer early or late 70's, there is much better stuff out there. Thanks to this source, right at your fingertips. Move on. This show is poor.

This is a comment on this show's reviews, given there are quite a few of the show itelf already and even though, I didn't attend nor am I sure if I've even heard this one yet, but I certainly have heard others of this time period; so aside from much of the following, I do have a specific educated commment regarding a portion of this show in relationship to it's contemporaries, (see below).
In fact I arrived here looking at most of these shows for info related to folks/equipment, etc. of the period, and had actually forgotten that this is "the most downloaded show currently"; given that the most active period of taping I did myself, (West Coast) was during the surrounding time; most of which as it turned out, have well known boards, for example the last K&D show amongst others.
So I'd like to compliment the site operator(s)/webmaster(s) since there are several reviews posted, for keeping up a decenting opinion ! I can't yet say which way I'd gravitate toward in the debate ?
But for example I'll never forget during the break at Brent's first show (a few months later, if you don't already know that), I was making small talk conversation with the sorrounding folks, just being freindly and somehow I started to say something about a jazz show I'd attended the previous year, (McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, Sonny Rollins and Al Foster) al influences on Grateful Dead etc., in relationship somehow to improvisation or something or other etc., when at least with this one fellow, if not most of the other folks around me, I suddenly realized, that these were what I still consider some of the more narrow minded variety of music fans. (The look on his face etc., was like there is no other band but the Grateful Dead). So I suddenly said, something like "Oh, excuse me. I forgot I'm at a Grateful Dead concert." At which point he offered out his hand, as if to allow me to re-join the collective so to speak.
So that is to say, part of what many of us related to with Grateful Dead is that it was more easy to see that there virtuosity was(is) on a par with some more tightly structured/heavily rehearsed bands or a philharmonic orchestras etc. yet, still seemed quite humanly fallable unlike others who if they made some mistakes etc., without extreme scrutiny, one would seldom notice any great difference, ie. just like most of the rest of us ! Having said all that ...
Now back to the show at hand. The fellow who wrote the decenting opinion acknowledged the excellence of the Lazy Lightin'-> Supplication. Having myself seen and recorded at the show, several before and after this one. I can attest to the "late" Lazy Lightin' period (end K&D-early Brent) as it's best.
Also, admittedly, I was the type who after they stopped playing it, would yell at the top of my lungs for it amongst others. And No Lie, I got my request fulfilled, on think more that one occasion, at least once instantly amongt one or two other songs that day at the Greek '82; which obviously blew not only my mind, but of course those around me whom I'd subjected to my outbursts at the quietest moments.
Some of these can be heard on various audience recordings that I didn't make, for example, me yelling "Warp 10", (someone I got my first copy of 1974-10-18 from had labeled the cassette this way), either before, The Eleven Jam 1979-12-26, or was that the next night before the "Meantime A Day At the Dentist", teeth drilling improvisation ? I haven't listened to that in a while, but I'm sure they're both this site. Or similarly, "The final frontier" before improvisation at other shows. But I made it a point, never to yell for St. Stephen or Dark Star ! (Although I did see St.Stehen once before this and Dark Star 5 1/2 times after this.)
So thanks for the tip Bro. I wait in great anticipation of at least that part of this show, as a mind blower !

i am still keen to the fire on the mnt form the roanoke shows in 1987
wher eis 1987 by the way??

Very surprised this is the most downloaded GD show right now. While the intensity of the playing is up there at times (see the Lazy>Supp) it just doesnt warrant being the most sought after show on a site with so much better to offer. Im partial to 73-74 and 90-91 boards so that should put it into perspective. Im not sure a SBD would even save this one for me, though. It's a lazy show with periodic fast playing that wows the crowd but it sounds like its being blasted by someone down the hall. I just cant grasp it. Some nice moments for sure but its very easy to find something better.

This is quite possibly my favorite Dead show EVER. Great quality, and the "Terrapin" is worth the download alone.

What a graat AUD recording!!!! Total crowd involvenment from a nice 83 show in NYC that sounds great. Jerry's voice is on, Donna is on key, they band is working at full force! This is an East Coast Family Show.

Thanks y'all for offering this up!

This good period-audience preserves the soul and exceptional quality of the performance. If you can listen to an audience start here. If you have no soundboards start with 4/22, 10/27, 11/01, 12/01.

Let me take this opportunity to thank archive.org ! I'd also like to thank the individuals (Charlie Miller ?) now uploading Grateful Dead shows as well as (esp) Kimock, Cheese and many more! Thanks to all the posters and archive.org, the best site on the net !

Rumor has it, a long time NY area Deadhead went to the Dead's vault and headed straight for this show. There was a gap where the show should have been.

Also, Keith Gatto used Nak 300's to record this show, not Shure's.

If you can put up with the crowd noise, you can enjoy this show supremely. I've been spoiled by excellent Kimock shows, but this is good for 79. Thank God the Dead made their way onto archive.org

From start to finish this show is what the Dead are all about. Yeah, the quality could be better but its the music that counts and it rarely gets better than this. I've had the tape in my collection for 20 years and its in my 3 most played list. I was fortunate enough to be at this show, only my second, but I never appreciated it until I got my hands on the tape. The energy level and music both stay at extrordinary levels from Half-Step through Good Lovin'. And this Lazy Lightning/Supplication may arguably be the hottest, most intense playing you will ever hear. This is a must have for those looking for the "best" of the Dead!

As far as I know, there is no circulating copy of this show in SBD form. Rob Eaton doesn't even list a SBD of it in his vault. Sometimes AUD recordings are all we can get or ask for, and this is certainly a nice one. Better than nothing, as they say.

Nice show with a sweet little "Friend of the Devil, All Over Now, Brown Eyed Women" in the first set that makes the show for me. Real clean sound as well. For anyone staring at this list of 96 shows and wondering where to start, this could be your place.

I was told that Keith Gatto was running Nak 300's at this show...cm